A CALL TO ARMS (4:48)

A Call To Arms - 1985

Arguably the album's lynch pin. Moody, brooding and defiant in theme, "A Call To Arms" in particular, signifies why the Mechanics are far more than the simple pop act they are often labeled as.

Of particular note with this song are the writing credits given to Tony Banks and Phil Collins, leading many fans to wonder if an unused Genesis version of the song exists in some form.

As Mike has said, the theme of the song is about action, as opposed to words. A message which seems to hold more relevance with each passing year.

Lyrics

Pass the word, it's a call to arms
Midnight man at your door
Blackened faces run in the night
Daybreak under the floor

Bring my bow
Fill my head with flame, and we must
Let them know that the torch is lit again
Crystallise the pain behind your eyes
Are you ready to fight?

(You hear the drum and) run for your life
(Sweet Avalon the heat is on)
In other words, I hope and pray
That time and tide wash the hate away
A simple man with simple thoughts
Who turned to force as a last resort

All around us, chaos rings
Buildings crumbling down
Silhouettes in the fiery rain
Timbers crash to the ground

Bring my spear, invested with my youth
Bring the children near, they must now be told the truth
Old and young and those of foreign tongue
Are you ready to fight?

(You hear the drum and) run for your life
(Sweet Avalon the heat is on)
In other words, I hope and pray
That time and tide wash the hate away
A simple man with simple thoughts
Who turned to force as a last resort

In other words, I hope and pray
That time and tide wash the day away
When simple men with simple thoughts
Will turn to force as a last recourse